Best travel credit cards in Canada

CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card - 🏆 Winner, Best travel credit card in the Money.ca Credit Card Awards

So, which card is best for international travel? The CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card is our top pick for the best travel card thanks to the huge amount of Air Canada benefits it provides. Maple Leaf Lounge access is free, plus six complimentary visits to other lounges through Visa, free checked bags on Air Canada, Canadian security fast pass, and more. All told, the first-year value of the card is nearly $1,400.

Key features:

• Annual fee: $139 (one-time annual fee rebate ($139) for the primary cardholder and up to three authorized users ($50 each)†)
• Earn rates: 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries and with Air Canada directly, including through Air Canada Vacations®; 2 points at over 150 Aeroplan partners and more than 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore; 1 point for every $1 you spend on all other purchases.
• Travel insurance: Flight delay, baggage delay, trip cancellation/interruption and travel accident emergency insurance; purchase protection and extended warranty protection; auto rental collision damage.
• Extra travel features: Book flight rewards for fewer points through Aeroplan; complimentary Avis Preferred Plus upgrade; 24-hour Visa Infinite concierge

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite pros and cons

Disclosures:

• †Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
• The information for the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card has been collected independently by Money.ca. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card provides an excellent first-year value. Beyond that first-year value, however, is a robust travel card that provides extensive travel insurance, charges no foreign transaction fees, complimentary airport lounge access and more.

Key features:

• Earn rates: 2X the Scene+ points for every $1 spent on all eligible purchases; 4 Scene+ points per $1 spent on hotel and car rental bookings through Scene+ Travel.
• Travel insurance: Flight delay, baggage delay, trip cancellation/interruption, travel accident emergency insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty protection, and auto rental collision damage. The card also features hotel/motel burglary coverage and mobile device coverage of up to $1,000.
• Extra travel features: Hertz #1 Club gold membership, 10 complimentary airport lounge passes per year and premium concierge service.

Scotiabank Platinum Amex infinite pros and cons

Disclosures:

• Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card to learn more.*See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.

Aeroplan is the most popular travel reward program among our readers, and the Aeroplan card that currently brings the most value for its annual fee is the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card. 

If you're looking for the best credit card for points, and you love Aeroplan, this is the card for you.

Key features:

• Earn rates: 1.5 points† for every $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, grocery and direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®). Every other purchase earns 1 point† per $1 spent.
• Travel insurance: Up to $2M travel medical coverage for 21 days for those under the age of 65 with additional top-up coverage available†. Trip cancellation and interruption†, delayed and lost baggage†, and flight/trip delay insurance† also included.
• Extra travel features: Free checked bag when flying Air Canada (share free first checked bags with up to 8 travel companions)†.
• TD Expedia travel: Be sure to book your travel with expediafortd.com to find amazing deals and offers exclusive to TD card holders
• TD credit score: As a Visa Infinite card, you'll need your credit score to be in the "very good" range to increase your likelihood of approval.
• Aeroplan estore login: Log in to the Aeroplan estore to find discounts and savings exclusive to Aeroplan members—save on flights, link to partners for better redemptions, and more.
• NEXUS: Apply for the NEXUS program and once every 48 months get an application fee rebate (up to $100 CAD)†.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite pros and cons

Disclosures:

• †Terms and conditions apply.
  
  This offer is not available to residents of Quebec.
  
  The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button. Sponsored Content.

The CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card is a great option for any frequent travelers and spenders thanks to its impressive welcome bonus, lounge access, modest annual income requirements and a first year free for new accounts (and a $139 fee after that).

Key features:

• Regular earn rates: Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchased through the CIBC Rewards Centre†; 1.5 points for every $1 spent at eligible gas stations, EV charging, grocery stores and drug stores; and 1 point for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases†
• Travel insurance: Full suite of travel insurance, including travel medical insurance, common carrier accident protection, hotel burglary insurance, flight and baggage delay coverage, purchase protection, and more.
• Extra travel features: Visa Airport Companion Program membership + 4 free lounge entries annually; no blackout dates when booking award travel; NEXUS◊ application fee rebate†

CIBC Aventura Gold pros and cons

Disclosures:

• †Terms and Conditions Apply. This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
• The information for the CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card has been collected independently by Money.ca. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Those who appreciate comfy furnishings, good food, and drink during a long flight layover might be inclined to drift into an airport lounge—but lounging gets pricey if you don’t have free access privileges. First, there’s the per-entry fee, usually around $30 or so. And many airport lounges require you to pay an annual membership fee as well. Frequent travellers/loungers can avoid these ballooning costs by using the BMO Ascend World Elite®* Mastercard®*, which grants complimentary membership in Mastercard Travel Pass provided by Dragon Pass with 4 annual complimentary passes. That feature alone is worth as much as the card’s annual fee.

The lounge access feature has high real-world value: entrance with DragonPass will normally cost $32 USD each, and the BMO card’s 4 annual passes can be used either for the cardholder or a guest. And Dragon Pass isn’t some obscure program with a few random hole-in-the-wall lounges at airports you’ll never stop in. It’s one of the largest lounge networks in the world, with about 1,300 lounges worldwide.  

Key features:

• Earn rates: 5x the points for every $1 spent on eligible travel purchases,* 3x the points for every $1 spent on eligible dining and entertainment purchases and recurring bill payments,* 1 point for every $1 spent everywhere else.*
• Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance*
• Airport lounge access: Complimentary membership in Dragon Pass,* with 4 annual complimentary passes.

BMO Ascend pros and cons

Disclosures:

• *Terms and conditions apply.

  BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information.

Amex Cobalt Card - 🏆 Winner, Best overcall credit card in the Money.ca Credit Card Awards

The Amex Cobalt is Money.ca's pick for the best credit card in Canada as its one of the best credit cards for points on everyday purchases.

Key features:

• Earn rate: Earn 5x the points per $1 spent on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery (think cafes, restaurants, bars, and more), earn 3x the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada (e.g. Apple TV+, Crave, Disney+, Netflix, Spotify and more), earn 2x the points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas in Canada (think taxis, flights, subway, trains, etc.) and earn 1 point per dollar spent on everything else. 1 additional Membership Rewards point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online
• Insurance: Out of province/country emergency medical insurance, travel accident, flight delay, lost luggage, hotel burglary, rental car insurance and more—the Cobalt comes packed with travel insurance. It'll even pay up to $1,000 for mobile device insurance in the event of theft, loss, or accidental damage anywhere in the world (you just have to have bought your phone with the card within 2 years from date of incident).

Amex Cobalt pros and cons

Disclosures:

• Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.

  American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

The lustre of a huge sign-up bonus tends to dim down after the first year ends, and it’s not worth holding onto a card if it doesn’t have long-term value. That’s what makes the Scotiabank Gold American Express® card stand out: Its regular, daily earn rates are so high that it gives permanent value far and above its annual fee.

The Scotiabank Gold American Express® card rewards spending in the categories that the average person drops most of their money on, like 6X Scene+™ points on every $1 CAD you spend in Canada at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland, and more eligible grocers.¹ Plus, earn accelerated rates at restaurants, other eligible grocery stores, bars and food delivery in Canada (5X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD spent); and eligible gas, select streaming services, and transportation (4X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD) in Canada.

There are two fine-print details that really make the card’s earn rates stand out:

•  Unlike many American Express cards, these high earn rates are valid for both stand-alone stores *and* chain stores  
• Aside from earning huge rewards domestically, the Scotiabank Gold American Express® card is also a big asset for spending overseas, because it waives foreign transaction fees while still earning 1X Scene+ point for every $1 on purchases made in a foreign currency.

Key features:

• Earn rates: Earn 6x Scene+ points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more; 5x Scene+ points for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery, food subscriptions, other eligible grocery stores, and eligible entertainment purposes; up to 4x Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia; 3x Scene+ points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options, including rideshares, buses and subways, as well as eligible select streaming services., 1 Scene+ point on all other purchases; and Earn 1 Scene+ point on all other purchases
• Travel insurance: The card includes a range of travel insurance coverage, earning it a place on our list of the best credit cards for travel insurance.
• No foreign transaction fees: The usual 2.5% fee on foreign currency purchases is waived
• Flexible point redemption policy: Book flights, hotels and a wide variety of other travel services through Scotiabank, or order through another travel platform and then apply the points you’ve earned after the charge shows up on your card statement. Points can also be redeemed to cover travel taxes and booking fees, which is a rarity among Canadian travel credit cards.

Scotiabank Gold Amex pros and cons

Disclosures:

• Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card to learn more.

  *See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.

If you’re looking to earn travel rewards but aren’t ready to commit to a credit card with an annual fee, the American Express® Green Card is an excellent place to start. As we mentioned, this credit card has no annual fee, and you can request up to 9 supplementary cards for additional cardholders to supercharge your earnings rate. When you use this credit card, you’ll earn one point per dollar spent on everything. There are no complicated rewards schedules or earnings categories, making it easy to calculate your expected rewards within a year.

You can redeem your membership points in a variety of ways, not just travel. You can use your membership points to pay for purchases on your credit card statement, book travel with American Express Travel Online through the Flexible Points Travel Program, buy merchandise, gift cards or make purchases directly through Amazon.ca.  

On top of this card's generous welcome offer (see above), cardholders have access to American Express invites, allowing exclusive access to a wide variety of exclusive opportunities, including early and reserve ticket sales, early access cinema screenings, and priority lines and bar access at major Canadian theatres.

Key features:

• Earn rates: 1 point earned per dollar spent with no maximum earning limit.
• Point transfers: Change points to other popular travel reward programs, like Aeroplan and Avios, at a 1:1 transfer rate.  
• Extra features: Zero liability, 24/7 customer service, American Express presale ticket access, reserved ticket access, Front of Line E-Updates, American Express Experiences – Cardmember Offers and Events, additional special access for all members  
• Annual fees: $0  

Amex Green Rewards pros and cons

Disclosures:

• Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.

  American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Foreign transaction fees—the 2.5% penalty that credit cards charge every time you make a purchase in a non-Canadian currency—are a huge waste of money for Canadian travellers. Unfortunately, most Canadian credit cards still charge this fee, and technically the Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard® does as well. But the Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard® more than makes up for that by giving cardholders 3% unlimited cash back on all eligible purchases made in U.S. dollars. This not only makes up for the 2.5% fee, but it also results in a 0.5% cashback surplus on your U.S. travels.

The Rogers™ World Elite® Mastercard® is a more appealing option for frequent U.S. travellers than other no foreign transaction fee cards in Canada because most cards in that category merely waive the foreign transaction fees without giving the extra cash back on top. And aside from giving cash back on U.S. dollar transactions, the Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard® also yields 1.5% in cash back rewards on purchases in CAD$.  

It’s unusual for any credit card to offer this much cash back on all purchases, both foreign and domestic, but this is all the more impressive given that the card has no annual fee. Plus, it offers some travel insurance protections, as well as complimentary membership to Mastercard Travel Pass provided by DragonPass granting access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide at $32 USD per person per visit.

Key features:

• U.S. currency cash back: 3% back on all eligible purchases made in U.S. dollars.
• Local cash back: 1.5% cash back rewards on all purchases in CAD$ (unlimited)
• Paid access to airport lounges
• Some travel insurance

• Local cash back: 1.5% cash back rewards on all purchases in CAD$ (unlimited)

• Paid access to airport lounges

• Some travel insurance

Rogers WE pros and cons

When comparing one travel credit card to the next, be mindful of the card features that are most relevant for your particular lifestyle and spending habits. Do you regularly fly to all corners of the globe? It might be worthwhile to get a card with free airport lounge access, so you can relax during long layovers. Do you prefer to travel with your partner? You might single out cards that offer a free annual companion fare.

There are credit card features purpose-built for all lifestyles. The benefits listed below are common for many of the most competitive travel cards in Canada, and it’s a good idea to review them before applying for a new card.

Compare each travel credit card's sign-up bonus

A large, lump-sum bonus of miles or rewards points is a great reason to apply for a new credit rewards card.

Just keep in mind that many sign-up bonuses are contingent upon the cardholder spending a certain amount in the first few months of cardmembership. But it’s usually worthwhile to try to meet this minimum spending requirement, as a big sign-up bonus might be enough for a short or long-haul flight.

Some sign-up bonuses might also waive the card’s first year annual fee, so those looking for value upfront should prioritize this feature.

Read: Best credit card sign-up bonuses 

Compare earn rates for international travel credit cards

One of the most important features of any travel credit card, and the feature with the most longevity, is the card’s earn rate. Look for a card that earns miles or rewards points rapidly, and in the categories where you most frequently spend (e.g. groceries, gas, etc.).

You might also want to keep your eye out for a card with a high ‘flat’ earn rate, meaning it earns rapidly on all spending you do, not just in specific categories.

Read: Best rewards credit cards

Consider the redemption flexibility for each travel rewards credit card

Some travel credit cards earn miles and membership reward points quickly, but the process of redeeming those miles and rewards might be a headache.

For instance, what if you can only redeem within one rewards program, which has a limited flight selection? Or what if you can redeem rewards for the core price of a flight, but not for additional flight taxes and fees?

When selecting a credit rewards card, it’s important to pay attention to the rewards program’s flexibility when redeeming. It’s equally important to understand the real-world value of points or miles depending on what you’re redeeming them for.

Read: The Canadian loyalty program bible

Compare annual fees

Paying an annual fee for the privilege of using a credit card can be annoying, so depending on your perspective you may want to prioritize travel credit cards with no fee, or those with perks that you know deliver equivalent or greater value to the card’s annual fee.

There’s a range of great travel cards in both camps, from cards with a $0 fee that still earn some miles or rewards, to those with fees reaching $900, but that come with an enormous amount of built-in value, justifying the high annual fee.

We don’t feature cards that can’t justify their annual fee, and when issuers increase a card’s annual fee without a commensurate increase of a value package, we call them out on it.

Read: Best no fee credit cards

Foreign transaction fees

This feature is appreciated most by travellers who often fly abroad or shop online at sites that don’t process CA$.

Foreign transaction fees are typically 2.50% of any purchase not in CA$, and they are charged by the vast majority of Canadian credit cards. Paying with one of the rare credit cards that waive these fees can save quite a bundle throughout a trip.

Read: Best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees

Compare travel credit cards' lounge access

It’s no fun to suffer through uncomfortable airport benches, spotty Wi-Fi and expensive food for hours on end. Access to an airport lounge, of which most airports have at least one, will save these pains and more—and are worthwhile even for a short time.

Membership programs like Priority Pass and LoungeKey offer access to worldwide lounges, over 1,000 each, and they come for free with a number of travel cards. Some cards even grant a set number of free lounge entry passes each year.

Those who spend a lot of time in airports, or who simply detest the crowds, should look for this perk.

Read: Best credit cards with lounge access

Does it come with travel insurance?

Your Canadian health insurance is useless once you travel overseas—and much of it won’t be applicable if you even travel outside your home province. That’s why it’s essential to make sure you have special insurance to cover you in the event of illness or injury while travelling.

You can buy a policy individually from an insurer (see our guide to the Best Travel Insurance in Canada if you opt for that route), or you can look for a credit card that comes with a fleet of travel insurance covering overseas medical emergencies, flight cancellations, interruptions, delays, baggage, rental cars and more.

Read: Best credit cards for travel insurance

Companion fare

Travellers who like to fly with a spouse, friend or relative on trips can use a companion fare or voucher to discount the price of that companion’s second ticket. This might be an annual perk, giving a credit card substantial value over time.

Companion fares are usually secondary perks on upper-tier travel cards with other appealing features as well, like a good earn rate, a large introductory bonus, or insurance.

Read: Best credit cards for companion tickets

Compare processors and acceptance

A card’s payment processor—Visa, Mastercard, or Amex—can influence where and how the credit card can be used.

For instance, Amex cards often feature superior travel rewards and privileges, but some merchants might accept only Visa or Mastercard. The best Amex cards are often designated as ‘charge cards’ rather than credit cards, meaning that a cardholder must pay off the card’s balance in full every month, lest they be charged a very high penalty.

We recommend readers get an Amex card for its superb earn rates and features, but to always carry a Visa or Mastercard as well to pay at merchants that don’t accept Amex.

When it comes to choosing a rewards credit card in Canada, you’ll often find yourself deciding between travel rewards and general rewards cards. Both types offer valuable benefits, but they cater to different spending habits and lifestyle preferences. Let’s break down the key features of each and help you determine which might be the better fit for you.

Similarities

Before we dive into the differences, let’s look at what these two types of cards have in common:

1. 1 Earn rates: Both card types typically offer points or cash back on purchases.
2. 2 Sign-up bonuses: Many cards in both categories offer welcome bonuses to new cardholders.
3. 3 Annual fees: You’ll find a range of annual fees in both categories, from no-fee cards to premium options.
4. 4 Insurance coverage: Many cards in both categories offer some form of purchase protection, extended warranty, or travel insurance.

Key Differences

Now, let’s explore the major differences between travel rewards and general rewards credit cards:

When shopping for a rewards credit card in Canada, you’ll often find yourself choosing between travel rewards and cash back cards. Both can offer great value, but they suit different lifestyles and spending patterns. Let’s break down the key features of each to help you determine which might be the better fit for your wallet.

Similarities

Before we dive into the differences, let’s look at what these two types of cards have in common:

1. 1 Earn rates: Both card types offer rewards on purchases, whether it’s points, miles, or cash back.
2. 2 Sign-up bonuses: Many cards in both categories entice new cardholders with welcome offers.
3. 3 Annual fees: You’ll find a range of annual fees in both categories, from no-fee cards to premium options.
4. 4 Insurance coverage: Many cards in both categories offer some form of purchase protection, extended warranty, or travel insurance.

Key Differences

Now, let’s explore the major differences between travel rewards and cash back credit cards:

When it comes to choosing a travel-related credit card in Canada, you might find yourself torn between general travel rewards cards and hotel credit cards. Both can offer fantastic value for travelers, but they cater to different preferences and travel styles. Let’s break down the key features of each to help you determine which might be the better fit for your wallet.

Our favourite hotel credit card is The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card. Not only can Marriott Bonvoy® reward points be redeemed at more than 7,000 hotels worldwide with no blackout dates within the Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Delta families, but you can also transfer your points to more than 40 participating airline rewards programs.  

Similarities

Before we dive into the differences, let’s look at what these two types of cards have in common:

1. 1 Travel focus: Both card types are designed for people who travel frequently or aspire to travel more.
2. 2 Earn rates: Both offer points or miles on purchases, often with bonus rates on travel-related spending.
3. 3 Sign-up bonuses: Many cards in both categories entice new cardholders with generous welcome offers.
4. 4 Travel perks: Both types often include travel-related benefits like insurance coverage or airport lounge access.
5. 5 Annual fees: You’ll find a range of annual fees in both categories, from moderate to premium options.

Key Differences

Now, let’s explore the major differences between travel rewards and hotel credit cards: